Kansas City Royals: 2020 MLB Mock Draft 1.0

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Kansas City Royals (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

#41 draft pick overall – Ian Bedell Pitcher (pick value $1,813,500)

Ian Bedell is a 20-year-old, 6’2”, 203 pound right-handed pitcher out the University of Missouri. Bedell has been used mostly as reliever at Missouri but was absolutely dominant in transitioning into a starter during the 2019 Cape Cod league season.

2020 stats (NCAA): 3.70 ERA, 0.986 WHIP, 35 Ks, 4 BB in 24.1 innings
2019 stats (NCAA): 1.56 ERA, 0.992 WHIP, 36 Ks, 12 BB with 5 saves in 40.1 innings
2019 stats (Cape Cod): 0.59 ERA, 0.652 WHIP, 36 Ks, 3 BB in 30.2 innings

According to the Draft Prospect Rankins at mlb.com, Bedell has future value of 45 (out of 80), with the following future tool grades:

Overall: 45
Fastball: 55
Curveball: 55
Cutter: 50
Changeup: 55
Control: 55

According to the scouting report on Bedell at mlb.com;

"“Bedell’s two- and four-seam fastballs sat in the low 90s when he started on the Cape, with sink or run depending on which version he used. He worked more in the upper 80s in cold weather during the truncated 2020 season, but his heater continued to play up because of his command. There’s debate as to whether his fading low-80s changeup or his slightly slower curveball is his best secondary pitch, and he also can mix in a mid-80s cutter.”"

According to the scouting report on Bedell at prospectslive.com;

"“The Cape League Pitcher of the year, Ian Bedell exploded onto the scene this summer. Bedell showed flashes this spring at Missouri, posting a 1.56 ERA and 36:12 K/BB ratio although starting just one game. However for the Gatemen he posted a 0.58 ERA with a ridiculous 36:3 K/BB ratio in 6 regular season starts. His fastball, which some players describe as trying to hit a Blitz Ball, has ridiculous run and he will sit 90-93 while bumping 4s and 5s consistently. He flashed an above average change that would essentially fall off a table crossing the plate, as well as an above average curveball. Likely the Friday Night starter at Missouri, he’s one of the top college arms for the 2020 draft and could be a Day 1 selection.”"

Over at fangraphs.com this is what they had to say about Bedell;

"“Emerged on the Cape, taking a step forward with starter traits and a solid average four pitch mix: 89-94, above average curveball, solid average changeup.”"

Bedell has four solid offerings and looked good in his Friday night starts for the Missouri Tigers in 2020. He was bitten by the homerun ball as he gave up five home runs in his four starts, but he showed excellent control and filled up the strike-zone limiting his walks. His stuff as it stands, appears to be that of a number three type pitcher.

Promising Future

The Kansas City Royals have drafted well in the two most recent drafts in 2018 and 2019. The Royals will need to continue to stockpile talent with this upcoming 2020 amateur draft to keep this wave of prospect momentum going.

Taking an advanced bat like Nick Gonzales, highly projectable high school pitcher like Ryan Hagenow, and developing college pitcher like Ian Bedell should add to the Royals coffers of budding prospect talent.

Depending upon whether the 2020 season takes place the Royals could be in play for another top draft choice in the 2021 season where RHP Kumar Rocker and RHP Jack Leiter figure to go as high draft picks. I wrote about the possibility of having to decide between Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter here.

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Stay tuned for more Royals mock drafts.

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